now, now that I am no longer a girl, now that the wrinkles are
coming, and the fat and the dullness, why didst Thou throw me into the
way of this man who promised to love me forever, who promised me and
praised me and called me his real wife, only to tire of me and tear my
hands away and go back to her?

But don't let him have her, don't let him be happy with her, while I
grovel here in shame! I can't bear the thought of that, I can't imagine
him in her arms telling her how good she is and how bad I was. I'd
rather kill them both. Isn't that best, O Lord--to kill them both--to
kill her, anyway? Then I can kill myself and he will be sorry. Don't let
him have both of us, O God. Am I going mad, or do I hear Thy voice
telling me to act? Yes, it is Thy voice. Thou hast answered. I will do
as Thou dost command. Perhaps he is going there to-night. I will go to
the house and wait in the shadow and when he comes to the door and she
comes to meet him I will shoot her and myself, and then he shall be
punished as he should be.

I thank Thee, God, for showing me the way. Guide my arm and my heart and
don't let me be afraid to die or to make her die. Forgive my sins and
take me into Thy peace, O God, for I am tired of life and the wickedness
of the world. Amen. Amen.

V. A CHILD'S VOICE

Our Father which art in he'v'm, hallowed be Dy name. Dy king'm come. Dy
will be done in earf as it is in he'v'm. Give us dis day our daily bread
and forgive an'--an' forgive Marjorie for bein' a bad chile an' getting
so s'eepy, and b'ess papa an' b'ing him home to mamma an'--an'
trespasses as--tres-passes 'gainst us. King'm, power, and glory forever.
Amen.

VI. AN OLD WOMAN'S VOICE

--and give my poor Edith strength and let her find happiness again in
the return of her husband. Let her forget his wrongs and forgive them
and live happily in her old age as I have done with my husband. I thank
Thee for helping me through those cruel years. Thou alone couldst have
helped me and now all would be happiness if only Edith had happiness,
but for the mercies Thou hast vouchsafed make me grateful.

VII. AN OLD WOMAN'S VOICE

--and help my poor Rose to be a good girl to her old mother and keep her
out of trouble and make her send me some more money, for I'm so sick
and tired and the rent's comin' due and I need a warm coat for the
winter, and I've had a hard life and many's the curse You've put upon
me, but I'm doing my best and I'm all wore out